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Exchanged
A student exchange program mix-up turns hilarious and heartwarming in this "idiots-to-lovers" YA rom-com from debut author Dan Perucco—cultural exchange has never been this complicated.
Enzo Rossi knows Irontown, Michigan—a declining mining town—isn’t exactly a dream study abroad destination. So when his family is chosen to host an exchange student, he jumps at the chance to spend his senior year with a fellow music nerd from the outside world.
But when the Rossis arrive at the airport expecting Davit from Georgia (the country), they’re greeted instead by Garrett Andersen—a handsome football jock from Georgia (the state). Somewhere, something got lost in translation.
Living across the hall from someone so cool, so hot, and so obviously straight is not what Enzo signed up for. He can’t stop putting his foot in his mouth, and Garrett is always ready with a comeback. Enzo writes Garrett off as a spoiled and cocky city boy; Garrett thinks Enzo is too stuck up for his own hometown.
Yet as Garrett dazzles the rest of Irontown with his Southern charm, Enzo keeps stumbling over his own feelings. The longer they’re thrown together, the harder it is for both boys to keep their guard up—and the closer they come to seeing each other clearly for the first time.
Enzo Rossi knows Irontown, Michigan—a declining mining town—isn’t exactly a dream study abroad destination. So when his family is chosen to host an exchange student, he jumps at the chance to spend his senior year with a fellow music nerd from the outside world.
But when the Rossis arrive at the airport expecting Davit from Georgia (the country), they’re greeted instead by Garrett Andersen—a handsome football jock from Georgia (the state). Somewhere, something got lost in translation.
Living across the hall from someone so cool, so hot, and so obviously straight is not what Enzo signed up for. He can’t stop putting his foot in his mouth, and Garrett is always ready with a comeback. Enzo writes Garrett off as a spoiled and cocky city boy; Garrett thinks Enzo is too stuck up for his own hometown.
Yet as Garrett dazzles the rest of Irontown with his Southern charm, Enzo keeps stumbling over his own feelings. The longer they’re thrown together, the harder it is for both boys to keep their guard up—and the closer they come to seeing each other clearly for the first time.
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 29, 2026
About the author
Dan Perucco
1 book16 followersDan Perucco is a middle school English teacher who writes fiction for teens and adults. When he’s not teaching or writing, he directs theater and coaches quiz bowl. He lives in Minnesota with his husband and their floppy rescue dog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
August 24, 2025
Disclaimer: This is my husband's debut book and I could not be more proud of him. There. That's out of the way.
That being said, I'm going to do my best to set that aside and review this book as a gay man who: grew up in small town, was super into music/theater and was SOOO not sporty, majored in English and now tries to teach 8th graders to love books, has read his fair share of YA romance, and who has fallen in love with the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Just wanted to be clear. Now, let's get to it. There's so much to love about this book.
The setting. This book captures the experience of growing up in a small town so beautifully, highlighting all of the charms, quirks, benefits, and drawbacks that come with it. If you're from a small town, you'll feel like you're right back there. While our towns all have their own "things," so many of those elements are universal: close-knit communities where everyone knows everyone, equal ratio of bars to churches, main streets that are the hub of the town (even though they're shorter than a football field), minimal stoplights (if any), and small high school classes that mean you KNOW what everyone's business is. If you're not from a small town: enjoy this glimpse into a fascinating world of unique customs, local culture, and a pride in the place you come from, even when its weird or feels like it's holding you back. The setting is so well-crafted in this book, it feels like you're there in Irontown, experiencing all its eccentricities for the first time with Garrett and seeing why Enzo loves (and sometimes hates) it so much.
The characters. It seems like I know Enzo. I understand Garrett's struggles. I get the family dynamics. Enzo's classmates make me feel all the things I felt when I was in high school: the closeness of your weirdest friends, the otherness of being queer, the imposter syndrome of hanging around with people way "cooler" than I thought I could ever be. This book's characters are deep and complex and draw you into the story because you want to know more about ALL of them.
The plot. I want to know what's next, every step of the way. Right off the bat I need to know how the exchange mix-up is going to get resolved. I have to know when the enemies-to-lovers shift is going to happen. Which moment is going to be the tipping point? When will they stop butting heads and pissing each other off? When will Garrett's snarky comments go too far? When will Enzo realize he's messing things up because he refuses to see Garrett in any other light than that cocky jock who's always made his life hell? Every beat, the story pushes forward and I want to know more.
The writing. This is the teacher in me, but this book is both accessible for YA readers and offers great depth and reflection. Often I see books where one of these is sacrificed for the other: write a book that will be high-interest and an easy read to get reluctant readers on board, or dive into the deep complexities of youth and queerness and lose a lot of readers in the process. This book balances being engaging (hooking readers and moving the story forward), relatable (the high school experience has some overarching themes and this book hits them all so well), and thoughtful (allowing space for readers to reflect on their own experiences and how they connect to this story). The comedy moments are funny. The emotional moments are impactful. The intimate moments are touching. This book is beautifully written and is, genuinely, a delight to read.
Okay. Longest review I've ever written, but I mean every word. Whether or not my husband wrote this book, I love it for its authenticity, what it captures about the high school and small town experience, and for the loveable, flawed, and fun characters who learn a lot and take us on a journey.
Five stars and this will for sure become a book I read over and over and recommend to my students throughout the years.
Bravo, Dan.
That being said, I'm going to do my best to set that aside and review this book as a gay man who: grew up in small town, was super into music/theater and was SOOO not sporty, majored in English and now tries to teach 8th graders to love books, has read his fair share of YA romance, and who has fallen in love with the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Just wanted to be clear. Now, let's get to it. There's so much to love about this book.
The setting. This book captures the experience of growing up in a small town so beautifully, highlighting all of the charms, quirks, benefits, and drawbacks that come with it. If you're from a small town, you'll feel like you're right back there. While our towns all have their own "things," so many of those elements are universal: close-knit communities where everyone knows everyone, equal ratio of bars to churches, main streets that are the hub of the town (even though they're shorter than a football field), minimal stoplights (if any), and small high school classes that mean you KNOW what everyone's business is. If you're not from a small town: enjoy this glimpse into a fascinating world of unique customs, local culture, and a pride in the place you come from, even when its weird or feels like it's holding you back. The setting is so well-crafted in this book, it feels like you're there in Irontown, experiencing all its eccentricities for the first time with Garrett and seeing why Enzo loves (and sometimes hates) it so much.
The characters. It seems like I know Enzo. I understand Garrett's struggles. I get the family dynamics. Enzo's classmates make me feel all the things I felt when I was in high school: the closeness of your weirdest friends, the otherness of being queer, the imposter syndrome of hanging around with people way "cooler" than I thought I could ever be. This book's characters are deep and complex and draw you into the story because you want to know more about ALL of them.
The plot. I want to know what's next, every step of the way. Right off the bat I need to know how the exchange mix-up is going to get resolved. I have to know when the enemies-to-lovers shift is going to happen. Which moment is going to be the tipping point? When will they stop butting heads and pissing each other off? When will Garrett's snarky comments go too far? When will Enzo realize he's messing things up because he refuses to see Garrett in any other light than that cocky jock who's always made his life hell? Every beat, the story pushes forward and I want to know more.
The writing. This is the teacher in me, but this book is both accessible for YA readers and offers great depth and reflection. Often I see books where one of these is sacrificed for the other: write a book that will be high-interest and an easy read to get reluctant readers on board, or dive into the deep complexities of youth and queerness and lose a lot of readers in the process. This book balances being engaging (hooking readers and moving the story forward), relatable (the high school experience has some overarching themes and this book hits them all so well), and thoughtful (allowing space for readers to reflect on their own experiences and how they connect to this story). The comedy moments are funny. The emotional moments are impactful. The intimate moments are touching. This book is beautifully written and is, genuinely, a delight to read.
Okay. Longest review I've ever written, but I mean every word. Whether or not my husband wrote this book, I love it for its authenticity, what it captures about the high school and small town experience, and for the loveable, flawed, and fun characters who learn a lot and take us on a journey.
Five stars and this will for sure become a book I read over and over and recommend to my students throughout the years.
Bravo, Dan.
February 24, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC of Exchanged by Dan Perucco!! All opinions are my own.
Exchanged is a beautiful melodious story that I loved! It truly wasn’t what I was expecting in the best way. I couldn’t even put this book down once I started. A story that starts with a lot of misconceptions and frustrations leads to love and a found family.
This book follows Enzo, when his family hosts Garrett as an exchange student, although he literally was not what they were expecting. While they start off rocky, they begin to bond and even realize they have things in common. These two end up dealing with homophobia and the difficulties of figuring out their futures. Despite all of these hurdles they fight for love and their dreams.
Exchanged is a memorable book I’ll be thinking about for a while. I was so surprised to see that this was a debut novel and I hope to see more from this author!
Exchanged is a beautiful melodious story that I loved! It truly wasn’t what I was expecting in the best way. I couldn’t even put this book down once I started. A story that starts with a lot of misconceptions and frustrations leads to love and a found family.
This book follows Enzo, when his family hosts Garrett as an exchange student, although he literally was not what they were expecting. While they start off rocky, they begin to bond and even realize they have things in common. These two end up dealing with homophobia and the difficulties of figuring out their futures. Despite all of these hurdles they fight for love and their dreams.
Exchanged is a memorable book I’ll be thinking about for a while. I was so surprised to see that this was a debut novel and I hope to see more from this author!
October 4, 2026
Thanks to netgalley for the arc -
I really, really enjoyed this one! It took a minute for it to find its groove, but once it did it was smooth sailing all the way to the end. The story was sweet, and the way the relationship developed between Enzo and Garrett was adorable. It does veer into melodrama at times, but that's standard for the genera and for a YA book this one is remarkably less schlocky than most others these days that are overwhelming with their "pure smoll bean must protecc" energy. The conflicts are realistic, but my biggest gripe would probably be how the main "villain" doesn't actually make an appearance until the last 10% of the book and everything is resolved right after it happens. I would have preferred a little more time devoted to that aspect at the end, but I'm really just splitting hairs at that point.
I really, really enjoyed this one! It took a minute for it to find its groove, but once it did it was smooth sailing all the way to the end. The story was sweet, and the way the relationship developed between Enzo and Garrett was adorable. It does veer into melodrama at times, but that's standard for the genera and for a YA book this one is remarkably less schlocky than most others these days that are overwhelming with their "pure smoll bean must protecc" energy. The conflicts are realistic, but my biggest gripe would probably be how the main "villain" doesn't actually make an appearance until the last 10% of the book and everything is resolved right after it happens. I would have preferred a little more time devoted to that aspect at the end, but I'm really just splitting hairs at that point.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
Many thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group & Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Enzo Rossi knows that his mining town in Michigan isn’t any foreign exchange student’s top destination, but during his senior year of high school he’s excited to welcome his exchange student from Georgia (the country). So when Garrett Andersen steps off the plane with a Southern accent…they quickly piece together that Garrett is from Georgia (the state). What’s worse is that Garrett is a handsome football jock from an Atlanta suburb, while Enzo is more of the quiet music nerd in a small Midwestern town; and now they’re stuck across the hall from each other as Garrett’s host family. But as the guards begin to come down, will they find much more in common?
I cannot believe this was Dan Perucco's debut novel! It was such a cute YA/MM romance, with a surprising amount of heart! There’s so much depth to both characters’ lives: from overbearing familial expectations, uncertain futures after high school, discovering sexuality, and even a bit of urban/rural wealthy/poor divide. Enzo is so adorably nerdy with his obsession with cinema scoring, and we all know just how easy it is to fall for the charming football star. What sets Exchange apart though is just how accessible it is as a YA book, but full of heart and emotional depth that is rare to find in MM romances. Put your casserole in the oven and sit down to read this one; you won’t be able to stop!
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from #NetGalley.
Read this book if you:
🥘 love a good tater tot hot dish or using the word “pop” for soda
🏳️🌈 have ever said “I can’t be homophobic, I’m gay!”
🏈 still root for Carl Nassib
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
Many thanks to Macmillan Children's Publishing Group & Farrar, Straus and Giroux for the #gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.
Enzo Rossi knows that his mining town in Michigan isn’t any foreign exchange student’s top destination, but during his senior year of high school he’s excited to welcome his exchange student from Georgia (the country). So when Garrett Andersen steps off the plane with a Southern accent…they quickly piece together that Garrett is from Georgia (the state). What’s worse is that Garrett is a handsome football jock from an Atlanta suburb, while Enzo is more of the quiet music nerd in a small Midwestern town; and now they’re stuck across the hall from each other as Garrett’s host family. But as the guards begin to come down, will they find much more in common?
I cannot believe this was Dan Perucco's debut novel! It was such a cute YA/MM romance, with a surprising amount of heart! There’s so much depth to both characters’ lives: from overbearing familial expectations, uncertain futures after high school, discovering sexuality, and even a bit of urban/rural wealthy/poor divide. Enzo is so adorably nerdy with his obsession with cinema scoring, and we all know just how easy it is to fall for the charming football star. What sets Exchange apart though is just how accessible it is as a YA book, but full of heart and emotional depth that is rare to find in MM romances. Put your casserole in the oven and sit down to read this one; you won’t be able to stop!
Reviewed as part of an #ARC from #NetGalley.
Read this book if you:
🥘 love a good tater tot hot dish or using the word “pop” for soda
🏳️🌈 have ever said “I can’t be homophobic, I’m gay!”
🏈 still root for Carl Nassib
Follow me on Instagram for more book reviews!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
It was cute, but I have some critiques.
I can't tell the reason behind the breaks between chapters, it doesn't contribute anything to the story, the actual scenes and language felt upper ya while the writing and characters felt aimed at younger audiences. The characters are annoying, not in the 17/18 year olds sense, more in the bad characters sense. Also, what's with the many hp references? I got that the author is millennial from saying a party didn't "look like mean girls" when euphoria is right there.
Also, maybe check trigger warnings because I walked into that one unaware expecting a cute ya romance and while I got that it was way heavier towards the end.
Writing this review I realized I have way more problems with it than I thought, I'll have to lower the rating to 2.5
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan for the ARC.
I can't tell the reason behind the breaks between chapters, it doesn't contribute anything to the story, the actual scenes and language felt upper ya while the writing and characters felt aimed at younger audiences. The characters are annoying, not in the 17/18 year olds sense, more in the bad characters sense. Also, what's with the many hp references? I got that the author is millennial from saying a party didn't "look like mean girls" when euphoria is right there.
Also, maybe check trigger warnings because I walked into that one unaware expecting a cute ya romance and while I got that it was way heavier towards the end.
Writing this review I realized I have way more problems with it than I thought, I'll have to lower the rating to 2.5
Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Exchanged started off slow, but once I came around and got past the wild teenage angst, these boys really stole my heart. There were a few phrases that felt strange for a YA novel (like they didn't feel like a teenager would say/think them), but they didn't detract from my overall enjoyment. Enzo is a tad annoying for a bit of the book (but I mean, isn't that the job of teenage boys lol? jk jk) and Garrett is doing his best. I will say this does broach challenging topics later on in the book, so please check any potential TWs/CWs before jumping in. While I, as a hopeless romantic, wished I had more of these two and how their relationship progressed after high school, I'm absolutely not disappointed in this story. I love these two and I'm so happy I gave this debut a chance. I'm very excited to see what Dan Perucco publishes in the future.
Review of advance copy
This is the most bingeable book I've read in a long time! I usually struggle to start books but this one pulled me in from the beginning, and the journey was so fun. The romance managed to give me real butterflies that felt like I was a teenager again... like, I was eagerly anticipating every scene with Enzo and Garrett to see what would happen. So much delightful awkwardness and angst that was funny and felt relatable.
Also I have to say that the setting of this story really transported me and gave me more appreciation of what it is like growing up in a small blue-collar town, especially for someone who is drawn to creative arts. I really loved reading about a classical music nerd (Enzo) like myself.
Very excited to see what this author writes next!
Also I have to say that the setting of this story really transported me and gave me more appreciation of what it is like growing up in a small blue-collar town, especially for someone who is drawn to creative arts. I really loved reading about a classical music nerd (Enzo) like myself.
Very excited to see what this author writes next!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Okay we'll get to why I rated it 2 stars in a bit. This was such a beautiful story with writing that was perfect for YA audiences and not overly dumbed down, I liked that. I love both Enzo and Garrett even with how harsh the start was. I enjoyed how the family dynamics were written about and how all the characters were placed in it. The book does an amazing job at showing how difficult it is to have big dreams in a small town and have to choose between them and being close to your family. It was all very palpable.
However I couldn't fully enjoy the story because of the multiple name drops and references to Harry Potter. It's 2026, we're all aware of how racist, transphobic and overall queerphobic Rowling is so it's definitely a choice, and an insane one at that, to have your QUEER ROMANCE BOOK have references to her work all over. I understand that it's definitely a popular phase for most kids that grew up in the 2010s but there were also a lot of other cultural phenomenons that could have been used in its place instead of platforming a person who is against everything your work is and stands for. That was very disappointing to me.
Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan Children's Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review
However I couldn't fully enjoy the story because of the multiple name drops and references to Harry Potter. It's 2026, we're all aware of how racist, transphobic and overall queerphobic Rowling is so it's definitely a choice, and an insane one at that, to have your QUEER ROMANCE BOOK have references to her work all over. I understand that it's definitely a popular phase for most kids that grew up in the 2010s but there were also a lot of other cultural phenomenons that could have been used in its place instead of platforming a person who is against everything your work is and stands for. That was very disappointing to me.
Thank you Netgalley and MacMillan Children's Publishing for the arc in exchange for an honest review
October 3, 2026
This story was nothing like I expected and everything I wanted. I laughed, I cheered, I cried. It was breathtaking.
The way that Enzo’s passion for music composition is woven and plays such a big part in the story is genius.
The outhouse races?! Are you kidding me? So fun and makes me want to visit the U.P.
Garrett’s photography talent? So sweet. He is a treasure that must be protected at all costs.
Their first kiss had me jumping up and down cheering (in my office on my lunch break).
Lake Superior played her supporting role beautifully as always.
It just felt so real. So honest.
When your husband’s, brother’s, best friend’s husband writes his first novel you’ve obviously gotta read it. But I don’t think I’ll ever be able to stop recommending this one!
The way that Enzo’s passion for music composition is woven and plays such a big part in the story is genius.
The outhouse races?! Are you kidding me? So fun and makes me want to visit the U.P.
Garrett’s photography talent? So sweet. He is a treasure that must be protected at all costs.
Their first kiss had me jumping up and down cheering (in my office on my lunch break).
Lake Superior played her supporting role beautifully as always.
It just felt so real. So honest.
When your husband’s, brother’s, best friend’s husband writes his first novel you’ve obviously gotta read it. But I don’t think I’ll ever be able to stop recommending this one!
September 29, 2026
A Joyfully Jay review.
4.5 stars
This is a sweet and interesting young adult book, with hints of romance and the usual teenage angst. Enzo’s insecurities are real and relatable, and he behaves like a typical teen. He pouts, and plots, and plans, but he’s a decent kid and he and Garrett do develop a solid friendship that eventually turns into a bit more. Garrett has a different set of teen dilemmas, but is no less relatable. His Christian parents hide their homophobia behind a veneer of “faith” that Garrett is glad to escape, even temporarily. Likewise, Garrett wishes for the kind of relationship Enzo has with his dad, rather than the one he now experiences with his controlling and abusive father.
There’s a little bit of romance, but more than that, there’s a lot of growing up. Enzo and Garrett have dreams of college, but getting to those dreams is another challenge. Especially when the finances are shaky. I loved how Enzo solved his own problem, and empathized with Garrett’s plan, too, once he decided to live his best life. I think readers who enjoy queer young adult books will like this one quite a lot. It’s a sweet story, with all the right teen elements of friendship and overcoming adversity, and a dash of romance.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
4.5 stars
This is a sweet and interesting young adult book, with hints of romance and the usual teenage angst. Enzo’s insecurities are real and relatable, and he behaves like a typical teen. He pouts, and plots, and plans, but he’s a decent kid and he and Garrett do develop a solid friendship that eventually turns into a bit more. Garrett has a different set of teen dilemmas, but is no less relatable. His Christian parents hide their homophobia behind a veneer of “faith” that Garrett is glad to escape, even temporarily. Likewise, Garrett wishes for the kind of relationship Enzo has with his dad, rather than the one he now experiences with his controlling and abusive father.
There’s a little bit of romance, but more than that, there’s a lot of growing up. Enzo and Garrett have dreams of college, but getting to those dreams is another challenge. Especially when the finances are shaky. I loved how Enzo solved his own problem, and empathized with Garrett’s plan, too, once he decided to live his best life. I think readers who enjoy queer young adult books will like this one quite a lot. It’s a sweet story, with all the right teen elements of friendship and overcoming adversity, and a dash of romance.
Read Veronica’s review in its entirety here.
September 30, 2026
It's hard to form a book into 1,000 words or less. Even harder still when that book left such a profound impact on me. It's just a silly little rom-com about two queer boys who are trying to navigate their lives on top of graduating high school and going to college. But then those boys fall in love.
Enzo, our main character is such a unique soul. The way he sees the world through music and color was quite refreshing to read for an MMC. Perucco enjoyed writing him, I can tell. It shines through every interaction that pushes him closer to his passion...and his love for Garrett.
Truly a beautiful, funny, and heartwarming story. I don't think I've read a book so fast! Thank you so much to Farrar Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC!
Find my full, spoiler-heavy review on Substack @ Rebel Reads Library!
Enzo, our main character is such a unique soul. The way he sees the world through music and color was quite refreshing to read for an MMC. Perucco enjoyed writing him, I can tell. It shines through every interaction that pushes him closer to his passion...and his love for Garrett.
Truly a beautiful, funny, and heartwarming story. I don't think I've read a book so fast! Thank you so much to Farrar Publishing for allowing me to read this ARC!
Find my full, spoiler-heavy review on Substack @ Rebel Reads Library!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I really enjoyed this story! Enzo's attitude, after discovering their exchange student was not who he expected, had me flashing back to my own bratty teen years for a moment. I enjoyed watching Enzo and Garrett's relationship evolve as the more they got to know each other. Dan Perucco wrote a charming, unforgettable story that weaves nostalgia, the joy of youth, and hope for the future throughout the pages in this book. I can't wait to read whatever he writes next!
June 15, 2026
book received through netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
for fans of most valuable player by a.m. woody and shippers of ryan evans and chad danforth.
i present to you a story full of tension and tender heartache about that one unexpected person who enters your life at what feels like the wrong time and challenges you when you didn’t know you needed to be.
this book surprised me in the best possible way. the writing does good at holding the anxiety and resignation about staying in your hometown when you know it’s a dead end, no matter how much you love it. many things hooked me immediately, like enzo’s dry humor alongside his and garrett’s tension. irontown’s nostalgia and comfort.
enzo and garrett’s relationship at the start was apprehension and agitation. their refusal to get to know each other because both are from different sides of america’s cultural divide and have automatic assumptions while in this foreign exchange program, where the goal is to learn and understand, is a great example of the importance of giving people grace, which is a very large part of this story.
garrett challenges enzo, and enzo returns the favor. they are a constant push and pull of making each other the best they can be.
now garrett, privileged yet dealt a horrible hand, was on some shaky ground at the beginning. the awful attitude he displayed was almost thick enough i couldn’t see through it. but his growth and learning his history made him such a beautiful character.
the theme here is to take care of yourself no matter what the cost is. reach out and take what you want because regret is the most sour emotion.
emotional ruptures, indecision about the future, uncertainty melted with excitement over new love. safe to say this is a really incredible debut.
for fans of most valuable player by a.m. woody and shippers of ryan evans and chad danforth.
i present to you a story full of tension and tender heartache about that one unexpected person who enters your life at what feels like the wrong time and challenges you when you didn’t know you needed to be.
this book surprised me in the best possible way. the writing does good at holding the anxiety and resignation about staying in your hometown when you know it’s a dead end, no matter how much you love it. many things hooked me immediately, like enzo’s dry humor alongside his and garrett’s tension. irontown’s nostalgia and comfort.
enzo and garrett’s relationship at the start was apprehension and agitation. their refusal to get to know each other because both are from different sides of america’s cultural divide and have automatic assumptions while in this foreign exchange program, where the goal is to learn and understand, is a great example of the importance of giving people grace, which is a very large part of this story.
garrett challenges enzo, and enzo returns the favor. they are a constant push and pull of making each other the best they can be.
now garrett, privileged yet dealt a horrible hand, was on some shaky ground at the beginning. the awful attitude he displayed was almost thick enough i couldn’t see through it. but his growth and learning his history made him such a beautiful character.
the theme here is to take care of yourself no matter what the cost is. reach out and take what you want because regret is the most sour emotion.
emotional ruptures, indecision about the future, uncertainty melted with excitement over new love. safe to say this is a really incredible debut.
May 11, 2026
Thank you Macmillan Children's Publishing Group and NetGalley for the ARC!
In a hilarious mix-up, a football playing boy from Georgia (the state) greets his exchange family in Michigan (the state), who were expecting an exchange student from Georgia (the country). Enzo begrudgingly accepts this "obviously straight" jock into his home despite his disappointment, and is disgruntled further when Garrett immediately starts thriving in Michigan. The more time they spend together, the more annoyed they become with one another... until the annoyance subsides, and confusing feelings rise to the surface in its place.
I absolutely loved EXCHANGED! I was immediately taken with the premise, and it did not disappoint. Dan Perucco, who I've learned is a fellow English teacher, absolutely delivers on the blurb's promise of a "hilarious and heartwarming" debut. I was smitten with the characters, particularly Garrett, whose life back home in Georgia is nothing like Enzo imagined when he began making assumptions about him based on his looks and interests. Their romance is a sweet slow burn, but I didn't find myself bothered by how long it took to get there, as I sometimes can be with slow burns. What can I say? I'm a little impatient, but Enzo and Garrett made the waiting well worth it. I look forward to more from Perucco in the future.
Cheers on a wonderful debut, and I look forward to seeing EXCHANGED hit shelves on September 28th, 2026!
In a hilarious mix-up, a football playing boy from Georgia (the state) greets his exchange family in Michigan (the state), who were expecting an exchange student from Georgia (the country). Enzo begrudgingly accepts this "obviously straight" jock into his home despite his disappointment, and is disgruntled further when Garrett immediately starts thriving in Michigan. The more time they spend together, the more annoyed they become with one another... until the annoyance subsides, and confusing feelings rise to the surface in its place.
I absolutely loved EXCHANGED! I was immediately taken with the premise, and it did not disappoint. Dan Perucco, who I've learned is a fellow English teacher, absolutely delivers on the blurb's promise of a "hilarious and heartwarming" debut. I was smitten with the characters, particularly Garrett, whose life back home in Georgia is nothing like Enzo imagined when he began making assumptions about him based on his looks and interests. Their romance is a sweet slow burn, but I didn't find myself bothered by how long it took to get there, as I sometimes can be with slow burns. What can I say? I'm a little impatient, but Enzo and Garrett made the waiting well worth it. I look forward to more from Perucco in the future.
Cheers on a wonderful debut, and I look forward to seeing EXCHANGED hit shelves on September 28th, 2026!
April 29, 2026
My heart! This was such a nice big city meets small town romance. It was a slow burn but it absolutely paid off in the end! I did not want the book to end and was looking for more after I finished the last sentence.
The author did a fantastic job at the character development and sharing the reservations and challenges and good parts of each main character.
Also love to use of music to describe the emotions and the ways that the one main character felt throughout. It provided this depth that I didn’t know I would feel. It made me remember how deeply music can be felt for different people.
I definitely recommend this book! Add this to your TBR as soon as it comes out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
The author did a fantastic job at the character development and sharing the reservations and challenges and good parts of each main character.
Also love to use of music to describe the emotions and the ways that the one main character felt throughout. It provided this depth that I didn’t know I would feel. It made me remember how deeply music can be felt for different people.
I definitely recommend this book! Add this to your TBR as soon as it comes out.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
October 11, 2026
Amazing debut! Can't wait to read more from Dan! ♥️♥️♥️
October 8, 2026
The perfect amount of wit, vulnerability, and conflict. I loved Enzo and Garrett, even when Garrett was a bit of a mystery to me.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Amazing, heartwarming debut novel. Enzo and Garrett are total opposites, yet they see in each other what others don’t. The support they receive from their community, family, and peers highlights the clear difference in the environments they were raised in. Some scenes were disheartening because of the blatant display of homophobia, especially when it came from those who are supposed to be there for you, but there were also tender moments that balanced it out.
I loved the incorporation of Enzo’s love of music and composing into his inspirations, and Garrett’s love of photography, where he captures the small moments that people don’t think twice about. It painted a vivid picture of who they are as individuals and how they express feelings and emotions that can be hard to bottle up. Their relationship, from dislike to love, was really cute, and I wish we had seen more of them as a happy couple.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC.
I loved the incorporation of Enzo’s love of music and composing into his inspirations, and Garrett’s love of photography, where he captures the small moments that people don’t think twice about. It painted a vivid picture of who they are as individuals and how they express feelings and emotions that can be hard to bottle up. Their relationship, from dislike to love, was really cute, and I wish we had seen more of them as a happy couple.
I am looking forward to reading more from this author!
Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Children's Publishing Group for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
April 7, 2026This book pulled me, I was excited by the fun premise and the intriguing characters. I was really excited to see what this story would hold and how it would unfold. It was an enjoyable story with a cool premise that tackled some tough topics.
And ... while the story felt like it covered tricky topics well, created space for characters to be lived in and real, and overall would have been a great YA book, it ultimately left me struggling. It is the year 2026, and I really struggled with the multiple Harry Potter mentions. This book is about LGBTQIA+ characters and yet it platforms a story whose author is loud about supporting anti-trans movements. As part of the queer community it feels icky to highlight JK Rowling's work. She is actively supporting anti-trans legislation. Trans rights are human rights. I felt like there are so many other ways we could highlight Enzo's love of music and composition without giving her a platform and it feels like a choice to choose to use Harry Potter as an avenue to do that-- especially with no challenges to JK Rowlings beliefs in the text.
I wanted to rate this book higher as it was a story well told, but I can't. I will leave it up to other readers to choose if they would like to read, for me I am really sad that a book that took care with a character who couldn't be himself with his parents would platform an author actively hurting the community as a whole. Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
And ... while the story felt like it covered tricky topics well, created space for characters to be lived in and real, and overall would have been a great YA book, it ultimately left me struggling. It is the year 2026, and I really struggled with the multiple Harry Potter mentions. This book is about LGBTQIA+ characters and yet it platforms a story whose author is loud about supporting anti-trans movements. As part of the queer community it feels icky to highlight JK Rowling's work. She is actively supporting anti-trans legislation. Trans rights are human rights. I felt like there are so many other ways we could highlight Enzo's love of music and composition without giving her a platform and it feels like a choice to choose to use Harry Potter as an avenue to do that-- especially with no challenges to JK Rowlings beliefs in the text.
I wanted to rate this book higher as it was a story well told, but I can't. I will leave it up to other readers to choose if they would like to read, for me I am really sad that a book that took care with a character who couldn't be himself with his parents would platform an author actively hurting the community as a whole. Thank you to the publisher for providing an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
October 18, 2026
*Review to come*
October 4, 2026
Reflective, hilarious, moving, tender- “Exhanged” has it all. I didn’t want to put it down! It’s heartfelt and sincere, full of unexpected revelations and honesty, and Perucco’s descriptions of the setting in the UP are breathtaking and cinematic. It’s a gorgeous book that bursts with love, courage, and humor, that will stay with readers long after the last sentence. I can’t recommend this book enough!
October 5, 2026
I loved this one!!
March 24, 2026
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC of Exchanged by Dan Perucco. All opinions are my own.
The little blurb as well as the cover got me interested in this book. A very good book by first time novelist, Dan Perucco.
I went into the book thinking it was going to be a typical nerd/jock romance trope, but it surprised me with the nuances. The characters are not stereotypes. Enzo and Garrett are the two protagonists in a wonderful coming-of-age story.
I agree with another review I read that I really wanted a Garrett pov chapter just to get some of his thoughts as well as what he was doing while Enzo was off with his friends.
My favorite part was the setting of Irontown. The unique traditions, the caving grounds, the lakes, the stars; I could almost picture everything about this idyllic setting. Beautiful.
Overall, its a sweet coming-of-age story.
The little blurb as well as the cover got me interested in this book. A very good book by first time novelist, Dan Perucco.
I went into the book thinking it was going to be a typical nerd/jock romance trope, but it surprised me with the nuances. The characters are not stereotypes. Enzo and Garrett are the two protagonists in a wonderful coming-of-age story.
I agree with another review I read that I really wanted a Garrett pov chapter just to get some of his thoughts as well as what he was doing while Enzo was off with his friends.
My favorite part was the setting of Irontown. The unique traditions, the caving grounds, the lakes, the stars; I could almost picture everything about this idyllic setting. Beautiful.
Overall, its a sweet coming-of-age story.
March 25, 2026
Review of advanced copy received from NetGalley.
The story has all the ingredients for something compelling, identity, belonging, and the push and pull of leaving everything you’ve ever known.
My biggest struggle was with Enzo as a narrator. I found myself far more drawn to Garrett, and I genuinely think the story would have been better with chapters from his point of view. What was framed as a rivalry between them never really felt like one. Instead, Enzo came across as closed off and projecting hostility onto Garrett, which kind of made him unlikable as the narrator.
Saying that, Garett was a fun character to follow as you literally peel the layer by layer of who he is and his upbringing. That's what keep me motivate to keep reading.
What did resonate with me was the emotional core around family and the fear of leaving. As someone who has gone through the immigrant experience firsthand, that enmeshment, the guilt, and the sense of loyalty pulling you back felt very real. But I also found myself questioning the logic behind Enzo’s situation. I didn’t fully understand why going so far away was presented as the only option for the majority of the book. A neighboring state school or even an online program could have achieved similar goals. And financially, taking out loans and working part-time is a very real and common path for many students.
We moved from event to event, and some of the jumps felt kind of abrupt. On top of that, the ending needed more room to breathe. An extra chapter or even a short epilogue would give it a more resolved ending. I feel like there are deeper conversations that still need to be fleshed out between Enzo and Garrett before the ending.
The story has all the ingredients for something compelling, identity, belonging, and the push and pull of leaving everything you’ve ever known.
My biggest struggle was with Enzo as a narrator. I found myself far more drawn to Garrett, and I genuinely think the story would have been better with chapters from his point of view. What was framed as a rivalry between them never really felt like one. Instead, Enzo came across as closed off and projecting hostility onto Garrett, which kind of made him unlikable as the narrator.
Saying that, Garett was a fun character to follow as you literally peel the layer by layer of who he is and his upbringing. That's what keep me motivate to keep reading.
What did resonate with me was the emotional core around family and the fear of leaving. As someone who has gone through the immigrant experience firsthand, that enmeshment, the guilt, and the sense of loyalty pulling you back felt very real. But I also found myself questioning the logic behind Enzo’s situation. I didn’t fully understand why going so far away was presented as the only option for the majority of the book. A neighboring state school or even an online program could have achieved similar goals. And financially, taking out loans and working part-time is a very real and common path for many students.
We moved from event to event, and some of the jumps felt kind of abrupt. On top of that, the ending needed more room to breathe. An extra chapter or even a short epilogue would give it a more resolved ending. I feel like there are deeper conversations that still need to be fleshed out between Enzo and Garrett before the ending.
June 24, 2026
4.5/5 stars (PLEASE GOODREADS GIVE US HALF STARS)
Thank you Net Galley and the publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I was worried at the beginning I wouldn’t like the book. Enzo starts out very much an unreliable narrator, as most teenagers are. So stuck on his own thoughts and opinions to have an actual conversation with anyone. This leads to loads of misunderstandings and frustration. Things do even out and we get a lovely story about growth, found family, learning to love yourself and trusting in your own ambitions and desires. The force proximity mixed with a little bit of enemies to lovers was a nice touch. The teen angst was just the right amount as well. I would have loved an epilogue of to see where Enzo and Garrett end up in a few years. I know the open ending was on purpose, but I can’t help wanting to know!
Thank you Net Galley and the publishers for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I was worried at the beginning I wouldn’t like the book. Enzo starts out very much an unreliable narrator, as most teenagers are. So stuck on his own thoughts and opinions to have an actual conversation with anyone. This leads to loads of misunderstandings and frustration. Things do even out and we get a lovely story about growth, found family, learning to love yourself and trusting in your own ambitions and desires. The force proximity mixed with a little bit of enemies to lovers was a nice touch. The teen angst was just the right amount as well. I would have loved an epilogue of to see where Enzo and Garrett end up in a few years. I know the open ending was on purpose, but I can’t help wanting to know!
October 16, 2026
✈️BOOK REVIEW✈️
I read Exchnaged by Dan Perucco
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)
Synopsis: Enzo is excited to host a foreign exchange student from the country of Georgia in his small hometown in Michigan. Only the person who actually arrives is a football playing jock, Garrett, from the state of Georgia, a mix up with the exchange program they’re in. The total opposite of one another they have to learn to live with one another and being true to oneself.
Review: This was the perfect book I needed at this moment. This book was so good! The interactions between Enzo and Garrett and not getting along in the beginning was truly so good and so funny, I enjoyed my time with them. Getting to know both boys, even though it’s in the perspective of Enzo, was so fun. This book also had such a beautiful found family aspect as Garrett really ingrained himself apart of The Rossi family and I loved that especially seeing how him and his own family have such a far different relationship with each other. While this is a YA coming of age story, there were some moments towards the end that had me shocked. I don’t want to spoil but some aggressive reactions towards coming out that can be off putting to some readers so be cautious. The ending definitely was very intense but ultimately such a beautiful story. Can’t believe this is a debut novel, and so excited to see what’s next from this author.
Have you read Exchanged? What did you think of it? Comment down below ⬇️
🌈✈️📸🎶
I read Exchnaged by Dan Perucco
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)
Synopsis: Enzo is excited to host a foreign exchange student from the country of Georgia in his small hometown in Michigan. Only the person who actually arrives is a football playing jock, Garrett, from the state of Georgia, a mix up with the exchange program they’re in. The total opposite of one another they have to learn to live with one another and being true to oneself.
Review: This was the perfect book I needed at this moment. This book was so good! The interactions between Enzo and Garrett and not getting along in the beginning was truly so good and so funny, I enjoyed my time with them. Getting to know both boys, even though it’s in the perspective of Enzo, was so fun. This book also had such a beautiful found family aspect as Garrett really ingrained himself apart of The Rossi family and I loved that especially seeing how him and his own family have such a far different relationship with each other. While this is a YA coming of age story, there were some moments towards the end that had me shocked. I don’t want to spoil but some aggressive reactions towards coming out that can be off putting to some readers so be cautious. The ending definitely was very intense but ultimately such a beautiful story. Can’t believe this is a debut novel, and so excited to see what’s next from this author.
Have you read Exchanged? What did you think of it? Comment down below ⬇️
🌈✈️📸🎶
October 18, 2026
Ughhh I’ve been waiting for this book since June when my sister received an early copy of it and started telling me how amazing it was! I was counting down the days to September 28th and it did not disappoint! This book was beautifully written, a symphony of joy and realism and love. I love an enemies to lovers trope and this book handed that to me perfectly. Maybe I’m impartial to the beauty of Michigan since I grew up there, but there was just something so magical about the people and the town that the author created. This book will become a YA best seller, no doubt about it. I read a lot… A LOT… of queer ya books and some suck, but not this book! Everyone should read it!!
September 22, 2026
Thank you to Macmillan and NetGalley for the ARC.
I have mixed feelings about this one, because I did like the story and the progression of Enzo and Garrett's feelings for one another, and I was engaged throughout, despite being old enough to be the target age range's parent.
But, as a bookseller, I had trouble with that age range. It's listed as 14-18 on Ingram but I don't know that I'd be comfortable recommending it to a 14- or 15-year-old. We also get a lot of upper middle school kids shopping our YA section, and I this would be too much for a 12- or 13-year-old. There was a lot more swearing than I expected and even though there weren't any explicit sex scenes, a few sort of foreplay-adjacent things happened that made it feel like the book was geared toward the older end of the teen age range. On the other hand, I don't really read a lot of YA romance, so maybe that's all commonplace now.
The multiple references to Harry Potter were also frankly startling. I get it, I'm a millennial who spent a lot of years obsessed with the franchise, but mentioning it 4-5 times in an LGBTQIA+ book seems like an odd move.
I have mixed feelings about this one, because I did like the story and the progression of Enzo and Garrett's feelings for one another, and I was engaged throughout, despite being old enough to be the target age range's parent.
But, as a bookseller, I had trouble with that age range. It's listed as 14-18 on Ingram but I don't know that I'd be comfortable recommending it to a 14- or 15-year-old. We also get a lot of upper middle school kids shopping our YA section, and I this would be too much for a 12- or 13-year-old. There was a lot more swearing than I expected and even though there weren't any explicit sex scenes, a few sort of foreplay-adjacent things happened that made it feel like the book was geared toward the older end of the teen age range. On the other hand, I don't really read a lot of YA romance, so maybe that's all commonplace now.
The multiple references to Harry Potter were also frankly startling. I get it, I'm a millennial who spent a lot of years obsessed with the franchise, but mentioning it 4-5 times in an LGBTQIA+ book seems like an odd move.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Ahhh! This story is so cute!
I really dont want to give too much away!
Garrett and Enzo are adorable!
I really enjoyed getting to know both of them and seeing how they navigate around social situations. Both boys are so kind and caring! I loved the little gestures that Garrett does for people. I loved seeing Enzo break out of his struggles and find solutions to his problems.
Enzo's family is my fave! I enjoyed learning about Jo and Liz and what they had sacrificed. This story just reminds me of a warm hug, and I found myself grining and crying while reading. I definitely recommend this read if you're looking for a sweet YA story.
I really dont want to give too much away!
Garrett and Enzo are adorable!
I really enjoyed getting to know both of them and seeing how they navigate around social situations. Both boys are so kind and caring! I loved the little gestures that Garrett does for people. I loved seeing Enzo break out of his struggles and find solutions to his problems.
Enzo's family is my fave! I enjoyed learning about Jo and Liz and what they had sacrificed. This story just reminds me of a warm hug, and I found myself grining and crying while reading. I definitely recommend this read if you're looking for a sweet YA story.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Netgalley and Dan Perucco for allowing me early access to read and review this book.
When it comes to a star rating for this book, I have shifted my scale to reflect the fact that this is YA and is not written to target my age group or reading level.
I gave this book a solid 4 star review, it was funny, and cute and touched on some really heavy topics that I think are important for young readers. I enjoyed the banter between the two main characters, I find "idiots to lovers" to be a very accurate description for the relationship between Enzo and Garrett.
I enjoyed the themes of found family, and the message of acceptance and self love while also touching on the fact that it is okay to not want to leave everything you know behind and how complex and messy life can be even with your blood relatives.
some of the story line is a little predictable which is pretty normal for YA but the conversations about self acceptance, family values, pressure from family and surroundings, and anxiety about the future are very real and relatable.
my favorite side character was Enzo's cousin Gloria because she is just like me.
I think for a debut novel this is a very well written and sweet story that I can see being helpful to many teens that may find themselves in similar positions.
if you enjoy banter, found family, enemies/idiots to lovers, and BL I think you will find everything you need in this book.
When it comes to a star rating for this book, I have shifted my scale to reflect the fact that this is YA and is not written to target my age group or reading level.
I gave this book a solid 4 star review, it was funny, and cute and touched on some really heavy topics that I think are important for young readers. I enjoyed the banter between the two main characters, I find "idiots to lovers" to be a very accurate description for the relationship between Enzo and Garrett.
I enjoyed the themes of found family, and the message of acceptance and self love while also touching on the fact that it is okay to not want to leave everything you know behind and how complex and messy life can be even with your blood relatives.
some of the story line is a little predictable which is pretty normal for YA but the conversations about self acceptance, family values, pressure from family and surroundings, and anxiety about the future are very real and relatable.
my favorite side character was Enzo's cousin Gloria because she is just like me.
I think for a debut novel this is a very well written and sweet story that I can see being helpful to many teens that may find themselves in similar positions.
if you enjoy banter, found family, enemies/idiots to lovers, and BL I think you will find everything you need in this book.
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